Sign-board.



Patented Dec. 5, 1899. w. A. GAVETT.

S l G N B 0 A R D.

(Application filed Dec. 19, 1898.)

(No Model.)

my Z W/fA/EJJflS Ilrrn TATE WILLIAM A. GAVETT, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNITED STATES MILE BOARD ADVERTISING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

SIGN-BOARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 638,233, dated December 1899.

Application filed December 19,1898. Serial No. 699,759. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. GAVETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, county of Wayne, State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Sign-Boards; and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in sign-boards; and its object is to provide a cheap iron framework for large advertising sign-boards that will hold the board securely, while being adapted to readily release the board when it becomes necessary to remove it for relettering or painting.

My invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a view showing a sign-board supported on two posts and in .a separable frame made of two pieces. This view also shows a reversible sign. Fig. 2 is a crosssection of the iron frame and a section of the board, showing the manner of supporting the board. Fig. 3 is a cross-section showing a variation in the form of the iron frame. Fig. 4 is a View showing a board provided with means for readily reversing it.

In the drawings, A A represent the posts, upon which the sign-board is supported.

B represents the board, built up of matched lumber, on which the sign is painted.

Crepresents theiron frame, which encircles the board and holds it together and in place. This frame is made of channel-iron, preferably U-shaped in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 2, but may be angle -iron, shaped as shown in Fig. 3. The iron is rolled in the form desired to fit the sign for which it is intended, and the channel on its inner side is adapted to receive the edge of the board and to cover and embrace such edge.

In the form shown in Fig. 1 the-frame embraces the board, is made in two pieces, and is drawn onto the board from both sides. In the construction shown in Fig. 1 means are provided also for reversing the board, so that the same can be provided on opposite sides with different sign matter and can be reversed occasionally to advertise diiferent goods or present the same advertisement in different form.

Thebolt holding the frame together and upon the board is replaced in form shown in Fig. 1 by a lag-screw 0 that enters the top of the post and by means of which the frame is held firmly to the post.

a, a are clamping-bolts adjustablyset into the posts from the inside and are provided with a U-shaped head to embrace the frame and set-nuts b b to force the bolts out of the posts and onto the frame. Other suitable means may be employed to steady the frame.

To remove the board to reverse or repaint it, the lag-screws are loosened enough to allow the frame to release the board, when it can be removed for turning or repainting, or if it is desired to turn the whole frame the lag-screws are removed and the clampingbolts a a loosened, when the whole frame can be turned over or removed.

In form shown in Fig. 2 the frame is drawn together with bolts, and the extensions 0 c are used as trunnions on-which the board is turned. This form is used where the purpose is to display two signs alternately, as in cases where a sign is more applicable to a certain season or to any other limited alternating periods.

These signs are usually painted and sold or rented for one year, and the same sign must be applicable to all seasons; but by making them reversible they can readily be adapted to two seasons without repainting. These sign-boards are also to be put up usually in some considerable numbers for the same advertisers, and when renewed the old signs re- 0' main up until the new ones are painted, when the exchange can be made by one trip through the territory cove ed, as the signs are interchangeable. Another advantage of my construction is the boards are held firmly by the 5 edges, and being matched no cleats are necessary, and both sides can be used for advertisements. The channel-iron also embraces the edges of the boards and protects them from the weather. When first constructed, too

the frames are small for the boards, so that they may be drawn together as the boards dry out. These boards are thus always held firmly in place.

What I claim is 1. The combination of the board, the frame to embrace said board, the outset ends a c of the frame, the posts and the lag-screws adapted to draw the frame together and secure said frame to the posts substantially as described.

2. In a sign-board the combination of a board, a frame adapted to receive the edge of said board, the free or outset ends of the frame, lag-screws adapted to engage the free ends of the frame to put said frame under tension and secure the same to a suitable support, substantially as. described.

WILLIAM A. GAVETT.

Witnesses:

S. E. THOMAS, FRANK Down. 

